How do you set the tone for a safe and successful school year?
By getting ahead of potential issues very early on, and that’s exactly what was done at Field Elementary School as the Physical Education department used the day to review guidelines for the playground, set rules for the popular school yard game Four Square, and discuss conflict resolution.
I was able to observe the first grade classes as they learned the playground safety rules on Monday, and then as they were given their first test of the young school year.
No running on the playground wood chips, no climbing up the slides, and no standing in front of or behind the swing set were just a few of the rules the students needed no reminder of before the importance of conflict resolution, playing by the rules, and cleaning up after themselves were all discussed.
"The value of the lesson was to introduce/reintroduce our Cares, Act safely, Respect and responsibility, show Empathy and Self control acronym (C.A.R.E.S.) when using the playground" said Field Elementary School Physical Education Teacher Jason Mata.
In the early afternoon class I observed, students Vincent, Daisy, Jake, and Lilliana demonstrated the proper Four Square rules.
"We also wanted to have uniform rules when playing Four Square to prevent arguing among students," added Mata, "The students were able to practice Civil Behavior and Conflict Resolution"
The classes were then given a safety test as they safely used the playground equipment safely firsthand, and closed by practicing their final taught rule; picking up after themselves.
It was a day full of being taught rules and following them, something that will apply far beyond their P.E. classes this school year.
